Director of Materials

Western Global Airlines•Estero, FL

About The Position

The Director of Materials leads procurement, strategic sourcing, inventory planning, materials management, and logistics operations within an aviation organization. This leadership role develops and executes end-to-end procurement strategies, optimizes organizational spending, achieves savings targets, and ensures compliance with company policies, aviation regulations, and strategic sourcing processes. The role oversees purchasing, repair, logistics, and heavy-maintenance materials planning and budgeting; manages inventory provisioning and replenishment; and oversees domestic and international shipping and regulatory documentation. The Director leads and develops procurement team members, manages supplier and service-provider relationships, and drives operational efficiency and continuous improvement. Airline or aviation industry experience is required.

Requirements

Previous airline or aviation industry experience is required.
Minimum of 3 years of management experience.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Excellent computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office.
Demonstrated leadership, strategic planning, negotiation, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.
Working knowledge of procurement processes, supplier contracts, inventory management, and aviation logistics.

Nice To Haves

College degree in Business Administration or a related field preferred.
Previous purchasing, procurement, or inventory planning experience preferred.
Experience with TRAX maintenance or aviation management systems preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement enterprise-wide procurement strategies aligned with organizational goals and market conditions.
Establish departmental policies, procedures, controls, budgets, and purchasing plans.
Lead complex negotiations and strategic supplier relationships to secure competitive pricing, favorable contract terms, and cost savings.
Identify opportunities to optimize purchasing patterns, reduce sourcing costs, and improve supplier performance.
Drive innovation, process improvements, and financial performance across procurement operations.
Select, implement, and manage procurement systems and sourcing resources.
Lead, coach, and develop procurement team members while managing staffing and sourcing functions.
Build partnerships with internal business units, suppliers, and third-party service providers.
Negotiate new contracts, interpret existing agreements, and ensure contractual terms support the organization's interests.
Evaluate and select outside repair agencies for rotable and repairable aircraft components in coordination with Quality Control.
Monitor supplier reliability, cost efficiency, service quality, and overall performance.
Oversee purchasing, repair, logistics, and heavy-maintenance materials planning and budgeting.
Manage initial provisioning and replenishment of rotable parts, equipment, and supplies for current operations and planned aircraft acquisitions.
Maintain inventory levels within approved investment limits while ensuring parts availability and operational readiness.
Establish procedures for processing maintenance material requirements.
Recommend disposition of surplus inventory.
Ensure required parts are obtained and supplied for FCBS EO and FCBS EA operations, including coordinating parts borrowing and shipment arrangements.
Oversee domestic and international shipping, freight movement, customs clearance, and shipment tracking.
Select freight and courier vendors, negotiate rates, and evaluate service reliability and cost efficiency.
Ensure accurate import/export documentation, shipment records, and dangerous goods compliance using applicable IATA guidelines.
Coordinate shipments with line stations, management, and internal stakeholders through final delivery.
Manage claims for lost or damaged shipments, warranty claims, and daily courier requirements.
Ensure compliance with applicable federal regulations and company requirements for quality, documentation, and material traceability.